Following the recent announcement of its reintroduction to the custom installation market with the launch of the Kustom DSM, Linn has now expanded its new approach to CI with Linn Whole Home as well as a comprehensive trade support package.
Originally entering the CI market 26 years ago with the launch of its pioneering Knekt system,
Linn unveiled the Kustom DSM in January, Linn’s first high performance multi-zone network music player, completing the new Linn Whole Home proposition.
The new Linn Whole Home solution is designed to enable Linn’s custom installation partners to offer their clients a flexible, high-quality sound system throughout their homes. The new Kustom DSM acts as a central, rack-mountable solution that allows customers to connect any speakers from the Linn product range, or any other manufacturer, and distribute them throughout their home to play over one system.
Linn Whole Home is made up of four elements: integrated sound, experiential zones, enriched living, and seamless control.
Integrated sound
At the heart of Linn Whole Home is the Kustom DSM, which has been designed specifically for the custom install market. It is available in two variants: an eight zone, four stream model and a four zone, two stream model.
Each independent audio stream has its own HDMI ARC, TOSLINK, SPDIF and analogue RCA Phono inputs so each stream has its own independent sources for truly integrated sound, whether that’s from online streaming services or physical analogue or digital inputs.
According to Steve Croft, who looks after sales and partnerships for the CI market, the Kustom DSM has three key features: “Scalability, flexibility and seamless integration were the three factors we focused on. With two models to choose from and being able to connect together as many as you like, makes the Kustom DSM a highly scalable solution.
“It also has the flexibility to not only provide the digital source sound, but you can choose the device you want, or the different speakers that you want throughout the installation as well. We also have Control4 and Crestron drivers, meaning that the audio system can then integrate with the lighting, the heating, the security and really become part of the smart home.”
Linn’s range of power amplifiers can also be specified in rack-mountable casework, and in combination with Kustom DSM and Linn’s collection of in-wall and in-ceiling speakers, provide a wide range of installation-friendly products that deliver high-quality audio performance.
Experiential zones
This element employs Linn’s highest quality audio systems and separates into experiential zones to create an immersive and impactful listening experience throughout the home.
Linn’s systems enable users to listen to music, watch movies or even use in full home cinemas, with the added benefit that they will also work in perfect synchronisation with Linn’s Kustom DSM integrated zones.
These zones enable clients to take advantage of the full range of Linn’s engineering expertise by employing Exakt and Space Optimisation technologies to create the most impactful experiences with a personalised sound for the end user.
Enriched living
Focusing on the hard to reach areas of the home, the enriched living element enables the wireless capability of Linn’s new all-in-one Series 3 speaker to deliver the same high-performance sound to any area that may be hard to reach with structured wiring.
Seamless control
Behind the whole system is the seamless control element. Controllable through Crestron or Control4, Linn Whole Home can be fully integrated and controlled as part of a wider connected home automation system.
It can also be controlled via the newly launched Linn App, which offers a quicker, easier and more enjoyable way to control a Linn music system.
The new and improved app replaces Kazoo for iOS users and offers a host of new features designed to enhance the experience, including quick control access, a global search function, accessible playlists from any source including the cloud, and basic system configuration options.
Gilad Tiefenbrun, Linn’s managing director said: “Linn pioneered the first multizone music system in the 1990s with Knekt Multiroom, the first distributed audio system on the market.
“The launch of Kustom DSM in December and out Whole Home proposition today illustrates our renewed commitment to the custom installation market, and we state our intention to become the most supportive partner for those installers who wish to deliver the very best audio performance to their clients.”
Trade support
As well as a new approach to CI, Linn is also taking a new approach to how it supports its partners.
As well as supporting its existing network, Linn’s new dedicated custom installation sales, marketing and training team will roll out a programme of expansion into new territories.
The support package includes:
• A comprehensive omnichannel marketing campaign designed to raise awareness and increase interest in the custom installation market.
• A suite of new marketing assets to help channel partners promote their services. This includes the new ‘Kampaign in a Box’ service and a new Virtual Tour tool that will allow clients to experience Linn Whole Home and easily visualise it in their project.
• A training programme that provides custom installation partners with all the knowledge they need to be an expert in specifying Linn. This include face-to-face and online training with CEDIA accreditation being sought to enable custom installers to gain CEU credits for completion.
Training programme
Linn’s face-to-face training consists of three courses. The ‘CI Core Course’ is a two-day, monthly course which aims to give attendees CEDIA accreditation to offer approximately eight CEU credits upon completion of exam.
The key learning objectives for this course are:
• Learn Linn’s mission, ethos and principles including Linn’s heritage and provenance.
• An overview of Linn’s portfolio of products suited to the CI market.
• Classroom and hands-on segments on Kustom DSM and two-channel systems, incorporating extensive Tune Dem / Speaker Positioning tuition.
The second course is ‘Whole Home Distributed Audio Course’ which is a one-day course, taking place quarterly throughout the year. It aims to gain CEDIA accreditation to offer approximately four CEI credits to attendees on completion of exam.
The key learning objectives for this course are:
• Revision and reinforcement of Linn’s key messages.
• Complete understanding of the range of possibilities Linn’s portfolio carries with it and the prime applications of those products in a custom install.
• Hands-on and practical delivery in Linn Home including networking and integration with control platforms such as Crestron and Control4.
The final face-to-face course is ‘CEDIA Industry Course’, which is a CEDIA-accredited course on a topic not directly related to Linn. It is a one-day course available at CEDIA training events and will carry CEU credits upon completion.
Covering a variety of topics, attendees should leave with a distilled, impactful and enduring impression of Linn and its expert position within the industry.
‘Kustom DSM Linn Akademy Module’ is an online training course, which is a dedicated Kustom DSM interactive module found on Linn Akademy. The course explores features and benefits of the product.
It is available to the Linn trade network, and there will be an Akademy quiz on completion of the course.